Living a Life Worth Imitating: 1 Corinthians 11:1

We live in a world obsessed with image—public personas curated through social media, reputations built on stage presence or leadership ability. But Scripture cuts through the facade. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul boldly invites the church to “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” This isn’t about ego—it’s about example. And it’s a call every believer must consider.

Paul doesn’t pull punches. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, he writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” That’s not a soft suggestion—it’s an imperative. Be imitators. Mimic me. Copy my life.

That sounds bold, maybe even arrogant, until you hear the qualifier: “as I am of Christ.” Paul isn’t asking the church to follow him blindly. He’s not elevating himself as the standard. He’s calling the Corinthians to follow his example—only insofar as he reflects Christ.

In context, Paul has just finished talking about laying down his rights for the good of others. That’s the kind of life he’s inviting them to imitate. A life of sacrificial love. A life that says, “I’ll give up what’s mine so that others might gain Christ.” That’s the imitation Paul has in mind. And that call? It isn’t just for first-century believers. It’s for every Christian.

But here’s what struck me as I read this verse: Paul invites imitation because his life was worth imitating.

That makes me pause. Is my life worth imitating?

Not just my public life—the sermons, the Bible studies, the things people see. But my private life. Because if we’re honest, it’s not that hard to fake it in public. We can put on a show. We can look spiritual. We can say the right words and smile at the right times. But who we are in private—that’s who we really are.

What would happen if someone mimicked my private life? My thoughts? My prayer habits? The way I love my wife and lead my family? Would they be drawn closer to Christ—or further from Him?

Do I love God in secret? Do I repent when I fall short? Do I walk in faithfulness when no one’s watching?

The older I get, the more I realize that our real witness isn’t our platform—it’s our pattern. It’s not what we say when people are listening, but how we live when no one is.

That thought drove me to prayer. I asked God to give me eyes to see that I live every second before His face. Coram Deo. Before the face of God. He sees what others don’t. He knows the motives behind every action, the thoughts behind every word. Others may not see my private life, but God does.

And if I’m more concerned about what others would think if they did see it than I am with what God already sees, then something’s wrong.

Paul’s words challenge me. They don’t just ask, “Is your theology sound?” They ask, “Is your life shaped by Christ in such a way that others would be better off for imitating it?” That’s not a call to perfection—it’s a call to repentance, to sincerity, to faithful obedience in the quiet places of life.

So today, I’m praying: “Lord, let me live a life worth imitating—not for applause, but for Your glory. Make me more like Christ, even in the moments no one sees.”

Reflection:

Whose life has influenced your walk with Christ, and why?
- What specific qualities or practices in their life pointed you to Jesus?
If someone imitated your private life, what would they learn about God?
- Would they see dependence, humility, and love—or something else?
Where is God calling you to grow in private faithfulness?
- Is there a hidden area of your life that needs confession, surrender, or renewal?
How often do you think about living Coram Deo—before the face of God?
- What would change if that truth shaped your everyday decisions?
When you fall short, do you model repentance well?
- What does it look like to show others not just your strength, but your dependence on grace?